# Because he's black of course! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 18, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901 "2012-01-18T13:58:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/41 "2012-01-19T15:08:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What chatter? The House (unanimously?) passed a resolution confirming that McCain was a natural born citizen, and that was it. Dozens of Congresscritters have “expressed doubts” about Obama’s citizenship, in addition to thousands of plebes. Well, if there wasn’t any chatter, why did the House need to pass said resolution? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/42 "2012-01-19T15:12:27Z")
Why don’t we just get specific? Are there any examples of people describing Obama as a “nigger”, and of these people, do any have national (or even state-wide) prominence? Or pick someone with prominence who’s made statements against Obama and pick out the most racist ones, if they can be found. Has Rush Limbaugh said anything suspect? Ann Coulter? Sean Hannity? Glenn Beck? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/43 "2012-01-19T15:13:58Z")
Well, there’s the Biden “clean” and “articulate” thing. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/44 "2012-01-19T15:29:09Z")
Sure, why not? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/45 "2012-01-19T16:06:06Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Why don’t we just get specific? Are there any examples of people describing Obama as a “nigger”, and of these people, do any have national (or even state-wide) prominence? > > Or pick someone with prominence who’s made statements against Obama and pick out the most racist ones, if they can be found. Has Rush Limbaugh said anything suspect? Ann Coulter? Sean Hannity? Glenn Beck? Let’s start with [Limbaugh:](http://newsone.com/nation/casey-gane-mccalla/top-10-racist-limbaugh-quotes/) > [@](#): > > **8. Limbaugh’s many attacks on Obama.** > > Limbaugh has called Obama a ‘halfrican American’ has said that Obama was not Black but Arab because Kenya is an Arab region, even though Arabs are less than one percent of Kenya. Since mainstream America has become more accepting of African-Americans, Limbaugh has decided to play against its new racial fears, Arabs and Muslims. Despite the fact Obama graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law school, Limbaugh has called him an ‘affirmative action candidate.’ Limbaugh even has repeatedly played a song on his radio show ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ using an antiquated Jim Crow era term for Black a man who many Americans are supporting for president. Way to go Rush. > > So Rush Limbaugh has managed to make racist attacks on four of the most admired and respected people of African descent in the past one hundred years, in Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Colin Powell and Barack Obama. He has claimed that Joe the Plumber, who isn’t even a plumber is more important in this election than Colin Powell, a decorated military veteran who has served honorably in three administrations. How can the Republican party stand by this man and let their candidates appear on his show? Rush Limbaugh’s comments are so racist, they’re funny, in a Borat, Archie Bunker kind of way. What is not funny is the millions of dittoheads who listen to him, who take in and re-spout all the racist rhetoric that he spits. Limbaugh’s statements are echoed in the racist, angry Palin/McCain supporters who shout ‘kill him,’ ‘terrorist,’ ‘communist,’ ‘traitor,’ ‘socialist’ and ‘off with his head.’ > > **9. “We need segregated buses… This is Obama’s America.”** > > Source > > Okay Limbaugh let’s take back all of the Civil Rights movement and bring segregation back. But you’re not a racist. > > **10. “Obama’s entire economic program is reparations.”** > > Source > So everything Obama is doing is a big plot to give money to Black people. Any evidence? Stop the racist fear-mongering. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/46 "2012-01-19T16:07:22Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > And unless I am grossly misinterpreting him, it is an example of the only way this argument is ever used. Never actually argued, but always sarcastically attributed to your opponent. Same with “Messiah.” No admirer actually calls Obama that, yet we hear it a lot . . . ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/47 "2012-01-19T16:08:33Z")
Well Rep. Geoff Davis, R-KY, referred to Obama as “boy” and later apologized, [http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/04/gop-congressman/](http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/04/gop-congressman/), but I’m sure the insult was all in our head. ETA: … ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/48 "2012-01-19T16:10:57Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Why don’t we just get specific? Are there any examples of people describing Obama as a “nigger”, and of these people, do any have national (or even state-wide) prominence? > > Or pick someone with prominence who’s made statements against Obama and pick out the most racist ones, if they can be found. Has Rush Limbaugh said anything suspect? Ann Coulter? Sean Hannity? Glenn Beck? Glenn Beck described living in Obama’s America like living in the Planet of the Apes, ["It's like the damn Planet of the Apes!" - Salon.com](http://www.salon.com/2010/08/06/glenn_beck_planet_of_the_apes/), but I’m sure that’s not racist either. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/49 "2012-01-19T17:44:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Who here has said that? You think you’re prominent? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/50 "2012-01-19T18:17:42Z")
This was was clearly racist, although I don’t think it came from anyone “prominent”. [Obama as Witch Doctor.](http://stupidcelebrities.net/2009/09/15/obama-portrayed-as-witch-doctor-photo/) Oddly, though, whoever made that seems to be drawing more on New Guinean imagery rather than African. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/51 "2012-01-19T18:24:01Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > This was was clearly racist, although I don’t think it came from anyone “prominent”. > > [Obama as Witch Doctor.](http://stupidcelebrities.net/2009/09/15/obama-portrayed-as-witch-doctor-photo/) > > Oddly, though, whoever made that seems to be drawing more on New Guinean imagery rather than African. Maybe because he spent a few years living in Indonesia. Regardless, it is plainly racist. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/52 "2012-01-19T18:25:42Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Maybe because he spent a few years living in Indonesia. You’re giving the creator of that image too much credit. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/53 "2012-01-19T18:25:57Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > This was was clearly racist, although I don’t think it came from anyone “prominent”. The guy that [popularized](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/conservative_activist_forwards_racist_pic_showing.php) it was: > [@](#): > > He’s also an energetic conservative opponent of health-care reform. McKalip founded the anti-reform group Doctors For Patient Freedom, as well as what seems to be a now defunct group called Cut Taxes Now. Last month he joined GOP congressmen Tom Price and Phil Gingrey, among others, for a virtual town hall to warn about the coming “government takeover of medicine.” And in a recent anti-reform op-ed published in the St. Petersburg Times, McKalip wrote that “Congress wants to create larger, government-funded programs for health care and more bureaucracy that ration care and impose cookbook medicine.” So not a sitting politician, but more prominent then some random protester or internet commentator. (the article I linked also mentioned that he appeared to have thought the image was African) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/54 "2012-01-19T20:56:17Z")
There were also the gator bait hats worn at the GOP convention in 2008, there was the Orange County, CA GOP circulating racist emails, the VA GOP racist emails and any number of other racist emails circulated by state level GOP members. The built in defense for the charges of racism is that if it is really racist, the GOP says that the person isn’t that prominent and if the person is really prominent, then they will claim that what that persond did/said isn’t that racist. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/55 "2012-01-19T21:50:09Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > This was was clearly racist, although I don’t think it came from anyone “prominent”. > > [Obama as Witch Doctor.](http://stupidcelebrities.net/2009/09/15/obama-portrayed-as-witch-doctor-photo/) > > Oddly, though, whoever made that seems to be drawing more on New Guinean imagery rather than African. What would be odd would be if such a person appreciated the difference or cared. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/56 "2012-01-19T21:51:10Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > You think you’re prominent? > > Regards, > Shodan **I** am . . . sometimes . . . but that rather depends on mood, circumstances, and time of day. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/57 "2012-01-19T21:53:18Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > The guy that [popularized](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/conservative_activist_forwards_racist_pic_showing.php) it was: > > So not a sitting politician, but more prominent then some random protester or internet commentator. > > (the article I linked also mentioned that he appeared to have thought the image was African) And a doctor, yet. :rolleyes: Well, William Luther Pierce (author of _The Turner Diaries)_ had a Ph.D. in physics, don’t mean he knew shit about anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/58 "2012-01-19T21:55:55Z")
I’m guessing the President of the UTexas College Republicans probably doesn’t count as all that “prominent” but it’s certainly prominent enough to avoid being completely stupid. Cassie Wright, the president of the College Republicans at the University of Texas, tweeted the following: [QUOTE=Cassie Wright on Twitter] My president is black, he snorts a lot of crack. Holla. #2012 #Obama [/quote] She has neither confirmed nor denied she sent it. And, of course, there’s a questionable Facebook post with a remark about Asians, too. [QUOTE=Cassie Wright on Facebook] What kind of messed up world is it when I’m studying hard in the library and the Asian guy next to me is watching America’s Next Top Model episodes on his laptop?? [/quote] For the life of me, I don’t know what the race of the guy goofing off in the library has to do with that situation, other than the fact that Cassie Wright though it was relevant. This is, of course, after her predecessor as president of the College Republicans also sent out a questionable (though not explicitly racist) tweet about Obama. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901/59 "2012-01-21T22:24:54Z")
The term “prominent” is pretty subjective, but I suppose anyone in a position of leadership whose allegedly racist communications were noteworthy enough to make the news counts. This recent incident, directed at Michelle Obama, has significant racist undertones, IMO (the “big butt” theme has been repeated several times I know of, including one photoshopped image of Mrs. Obama with an enlarged backside and dressed similarly to Aunt Jemimah): [http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/9604867-452/lawmaker-regrets-remark-about-first-ladys-backside.html](http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/9604867-452/lawmaker-regrets-remark-about-first-ladys-backside.html) "Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) apologized to first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday for saying she has a “large posterior.” " Of course, he denied any racist implications (of course!) As always, the offenders have perfectly plausible explanations for their obviously racist remarks or forwarded materials, including their professed complete unfamiliarity with racist stereotypes going back a century or more in our culture. :rolleyes: This shit runs DEEP. Most of the reported incidents have involved those prominent at the state or local levels and/or their staff. I think those at higher levels tend to be a lot more careful about such things, as a rule. :dubious: Awhile back, I compiled quite a few examples, and this is hardly a comprehensive list (I’m omitting all the cites of racism from NON-prominent and/or anonymous sources, but including some from those associated directly with prominent figures). Not sure which, if any, of these would be considered the “most” prominent figure or the “best/worst” example. [http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-19/news/29470004\_1\_racist-e-mail-private-e-mail-apology](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-19/news/29470004_1_racist-e-mail-private-e-mail-apology) “The California Republican (Marilyn Davenport) who e-mailed a racist “family photo” of President Obama because she thought it was funny offered up a second, less defiant apology Monday…The racist e-mail, which the elected GOP official sent out to dozens of friends and fellow Republicans on Friday, featured Obama as a baby chimpanzee with two chimpanzee parents. Davenport, who in 2009 defended a former mayor in California for sending a similarly racist e-mail about Obama, claims to have received threats since her “Internet joke” gained national attention. The grandmother and Tea Party activist, who represents the 72nd Assembly District in Orange County, was immediately slammed with calls for her to step down….” > **[Alaska officials exchanged racist emails about Barack Obama](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/3831090/Alaska-officials-exchanged-racist-emails-about-Barack-Obama.html)** > > Alaska has launched an investigation after state officials emailed each other racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama using government computers. “Alaska officials exchanged racist emails about Barack Obama Alaska has launched an investigation after state officials emailed each other racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama using government computers. One of the five emails obtained by the Associated Press news agency asks about the outcome of the Democrat’s victory after all the time and money invested. It concludes: “Another black family living in government housing!” The existence of three of the racist messages were confirmed by the state’s information technology division after an electronic search of the government’s email system. Annette Kreitzer, Alaska’s administration commissioner, said: “It’s embarrassing to the state.” She said that she had alerted the office of Governor Sarah Palin … about the emails….” > **[Tennessee Senator's aide caught sending racist Obama e-mail - The Inquisitr](https://www.inquisitr.com/26315/tennessee-senators-aide-caught-sending-racist-obama-e-mail)** > > Sherri Goforth, an aide to state senator Diane Black, was given a “strong letter of reprimand” after embarrassing the GOP by sending a mass e-mail with a racist picture attached mocking President Barack Obama. Following racist humor related debacles... “Tennessee Senator’s aide caught sending racist Obama e-mail…Sherri Goforth, an aide to state senator Diane Black, was given a “strong letter of reprimand” after embarrassing the GOP by sending a mass e-mail with a racist picture attached mocking President Barack Obama. Following racist humor related debacles originating in Tennessee such as “Barack the Magic Negro,” Goforth forwarded a “historical keepsake photo” of all 44 US Presidents in a mass e-mail. Obama’s photo, however, was just a large pair of white eyes peering out from a black background… Perhaps most troubling is the still-employed staffer’s attitude regarding the shameful action. From Nashville Is Talking: When I asked her if she understood the controversial nature of the photo, Goforth would only say she felt very bad about accidentally sending it to the wrong list. When I gave her a second chance to address the controversial nature of the email, she again repeated that she only felt bad about sending it to the wrong list of people.” > **[Wonkette | Rebecca Schoenkopf | Substack](https://www.wonkette.com)** > > Wonkette is filthy, hilarious, liberal news. YOU CAN HANDLE THE TRUTH! Click to read Wonkette, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of readers. “…Trey Walker, an advisor to S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, posted an innocuous Facebook update about this morning’s escape of a Western Lowlands Gorilla from Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo. Walker’s harmless update, however was followed by a highly-questionable comment from longtime SCGOP activist and former State Senate candidate, Rusty DePass. “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless,” DePass wrote….DePass later helpfully explained that he was just making an innocent joke about the First Lady’s remarks on evolution (which nobody can seem to track down), and he was sorry “if” he offended anyone. “ > **[Social Networks Help Republican Racism Go Viral - Slideshow - Daily Intel](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2009/07/obama_racism.html)** > > Republican officials and activists keep saying racist things about President Obama on Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. Then they awkwardly apologize. View the Slideshow. “The mayor of Dallas, Georgia, posted an esoteric message on his Facebook page, seen here, that is believed by the Internet-commenter hive-mind to refer to Schlitz beer and Camel cigarettes – you know, things Obama might reasonably be expected to offer Gordon Brown as a gift… On their website, the Republican Women of Clifton joked that Baskin Robbins had created a new ice-cream flavor named Barocky Road, which was half vanilla and half chocolate. But, this extended metaphor continues, the “vanilla portion of the mix is not openly advertised and usually denied as an ingredient,” which doesn’t even make any sense. Does “white woman from Kansas” ring any bells? It should…. Another South Carolina GOP activist, Mike Green, tweeted the alleged joke, “JUST HEARD OBAMA IS GOING TO IMPOSE A 40% TAX ON ASPIRIN BECAUSE IT’S WHITE AND IT WORKS.” And yes, it was, obnoxiously, entirely capitalized…. Dean Grose, the mayor of Los Alamitos, California, thought a “small group of friends” – including a black woman, not incidentally – would get a kick out of an e-mail showing a watermelon patch growing on the White House lawn, and the caption, “No Easter egg hunt this year.”…Grose resigned after the ensuing uproar, apologized for his actions, and dubiously claimed that he was “unaware of the racial stereotype that black people like watermelons.” It’s unclear what, then, he thought the joke was…." [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901.md?page=2)